It’s common knowledge that the danger of falling becomes more prevalent as we age. A fall may be a true health setback for an elderly individual. More older adults than ever are dying from falls today. Recent surveys have shown that 25,000 people over 75 years of age in the United States have died as a result of a collapse in 2016 that has more than doubled since 2000.

How to Minimize the Risk of Falling

Most older adults are inevitably expected to fall as they age. If certain measures are taken, the risk of falling can be prevented.

The most common causes of falling and the best ways to prevent them are these 5 tips:

1. Manage Pain Medication

Many seniors are on risky medications, sleeping pills, pain pills, and many others that they’ve been on for years and years. Getting seniors off those medications would help decrease falls dramatically. Pain pills increase the risk of falls by making you dizzy, confused, and lethargic. This causes the user to not be as aware of their surroundings, tripping on curbs or uneven sidewalks.

2. Other Medications

Drugs in the anticholinergic class, such as cold medications, are dangerous for increasing the risk of falling. Also, blood pressure medication is tricky because it prevents against heart attacks and strokes. Although, too many can make the blood pressure too low making someone dizzy and fall.

3. Talk with your Doctor

Usually doctors have a short amount of time with each patient and they’re managing other medical conditions. Fall prevention isn’t high on the scale of importance and it takes a lot of work to help seniors reduce their risk of falling. Everything from having the right glasses to wearing the right shoes needs to be discussed.

4. Exercise

One of the best ways to prevent falls is through balance training, such as practicing tai chi. Most people will say that walking 20 minutes a day will help, but to really reduce risk of falls something needs to be done that’s specific to balance. Tai chi provides postural stability, so that you can catch yourself and not have the fall.

5. Other Interventions

For most people it’s an accumulative factor of things that lead to a fall. Various methods can be taken to prevent this, such as wearing the right shoes, using a walker if needed, and getting off risky medications. It’s extremely beneficial to manage all those little details to lower the risk of falling as much as possible.

The Victorian Assisted Living and Retirement Community

The Victorian is an assisted living and retirement community that makes living independently, while at the same time feeling safe and secure, a reality. We strive to provide the best quality of life for all residents including those suffering from loneliness and depression.
We offer a comprehensive activity program that includes both physical and social activities to encourage emotional well-being. Our staff is trained to assist those with depression. If you or a loved one are considering assisted living, contact The Victorian today to learn more about our services or tour our community.